Special Areas Fire Chiefs gather for AGM
Fire chiefs and deputies from across the Special Areas gathered for their annual regional fire chief meeting at the end of November. This annual meeting gives local fire department leadership a chance to get together with their peers in the Special Areas region to talk about some of the challenges and trends they are seeing over the past year. One of the key outcomes from this meeting each year is to set the training priorities and look at how to promote this training among various departments. In 2024, the group anticipates delivering training through the regional training group based out of Hanna, including advanced training related to industrial firefighting and vehicle extrication. This training gives local firefighters the tools they need when responding to calls like vehicle fires, tank fires, and industrial site fires.
A long service award was presented to Jim Faubion (Fire Chief Homestead Coulee FD) and Kari-Ann Faubion (Firefighter Homestead Coulee FD). Making the presentation was Special Areas Deputy Fire Chief Kyle Kohl (left) and Special Areas Fire Chief Rob Palmer (right).
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The group hosted a Joe Towers from Global Forensics to provide essential information on scene preservation and fire fatality investigations. This training provided a lot of valuable information for local fire departments to use when they respond to a scene, including how to preserve and handle scenes which may trigger investigations.
This year the annual meeting was hosted in Youngstown, with chiefs and deputy chiefs from all fourteen departments attending. These departments are made up of over 225 volunteer firefighters and provide emergency services to over 5 million acres. The group discussed some of the trends they are seeing, including a need for more specialized training for local volunteer firefighters.
“Our volunteer firefighters are dedicated to helping their communities, and to making sure they are giving the best possible service when they are responding. The focus over the past few years on providing economical and accessible training is helping local firefighters access the training they need to serve the public right here in the Special Areas. Our regional training group is a big part of making sure our volunteer firefighters have access to the right training and equipment at a relatively low cost, including the more advanced training we are getting into.” - Rob Palmer, Special Areas Fire Chief
Another big part of the annual event is the chance to recognize some of the long-serving volunteer firefighters through long service awards. This year, Fire Chief Jim Faubion and Firefighter Kari-Ann Faubion from Homestead Coulee Fire Department were recognized for their service, with 34 years and 31 years of service, respectively. In addition to the local Special Areas Fire Services Long Service Award, Jim and Kari-Ann were also presented with the Alberta Emergency Services Medal and federal award for exemplary service.
“Getting together with all the departments gives everyone a chance to get to know each other a little bit, and to make sure we are all on the same page when different departments are responding to calls together. We appreciate the sacrifices our volunteer firefighters make to help serve their communities – and the sacrifices this can mean for their families. Long service awards are one way we recognize our firefighters for their years of dedication and gives us a chance to thank them for their service.” - Kyle Rohl, Special Areas Deputy Fire Chief